Drawing Near

December 8, is just around the corner. If you've ever moved into a new home and decided to have a house warming party on move in day then you have some idea of how we feel.

Lots of details still to be addressed but things are moving along well. It is exciting to see it all coming together.

Just a note for any who are planning to attend the dedication liturgy which is set to begin at 7:00 pm on December 8. The flow of the liturgy has everyone gathered outside the front doors as Bishop Corrada formally accepts the building from the architect and builders, then we all enter together and begin the liturgy during which the building becomes a sacred space consecrated for Divine Worship.

The main thing to note is that we will all be outside so "getting a good seat ahead of time" will not really be a practical option. We will certainly accommodate everyone who has difficulty walking or standing for an extended time as best we can. We just wouldn't want people to come two hours early thinking they could "get a good seat" that way.

Please don't let the above discourage you from coming. All are welcome and we want as many as possible to join in this beautiful historic moment for the Catholic community of Tyler. You won't regret being a part of the congregation to witness the "baptism" of this beautiful building as she becomes a House of God consecrated for His Worship and dedicated to His glory.

AD MAIOREM DEI GLORIAM

A Stroll Down Memory Lane

I can imagine that you are laughing because it had been so long between posts and now I'm posting more than once a day!! I suppose it simply is an illustration of the rapid pace of the final elements of the Chapel coming together as we approach December 8.

I invite you to visit the YouTube video of the original DVD we used to launch the campaign for the Chapel back in 2007.

The link is...............

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCHHKcUuXYk&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Feast of the Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul- the first Stained Glass Window to be installed Glows Gloriously in Celebration

The first stained glass window is complete. Lynchburg Stained Glass did a wonderful job.

Next week the Baptismal Font is to be installed and the week after the statues and crosses for the exterior and interior of the Chapel.

It is all coming together thanks to wonderful donors and the support of so many in our community.

Today, November 18, is a special day for the Chapel because it is the Feast of the Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul in Rome. The feast reminds us that places and things become sacred in our Catholic tradition because they are associated with gifts of God's grace and growth in faith. The numerous holy sites in Rome have inspired the faithful from the earliest days of the Church. Thanks to the generosity and hard work of so many the Chapel of Saints Peter and Paul has already been a "holy site" right here in Tyler. We look forward to the Chapel being a place of prayer and pilgrimage for many years to come.

Relics for the Altar

These relics will be sealed in the altar at Saints Peter and Paul as the altar is consecrated at the Liturgy on December 8. Since the earliest days of the Church the Liturgy of the Eucharist (the Mass) was celebrated in the presence of the remains of faithful disciples. Because of the persecutions in the early Church many of these "faithful disciples" were martyrs. We are blessed to continue the tradition as the altar of the Chapel of Saints Peter and Paul is consecrated with the special gift of relics for three who were martyred, Saints Peter and Paul and Saint Maria Goretti.

Relic of Maria Goretti
















Relic of Saints Peter and Paul
















Relic of Saint John Newman



























Relic of Saint Pius X, Pope























Relic of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque




Watch for future posts sharing something of the lives of these Saints.

Habemus Stained Glass

Sorry for the slow posting. Although we haven't seen a lot of visible changes lately there has been a lot happening behind the scenes. These pictures of the Main Altar Stained Glass demonstrate just how busy our artisans have been. Enjoy and we look forward to seeing you on December 8, at 7:00 PM.